Art Riley: A Treasure

"If you have a good friend, you have a treasure, with Mr. Riley I have a gold mine,"  said Assistant Principal Edward Kennedy when thoughtfully commenting on Electrical instructor Art Riley, who after teaching for more than twenty years in the Technical High School System, will be leaving behind his family, friends, students, colleagues, and co-workers Thursday, January 15 to report to the Westover Air Reserve Base in Massachusetts to prepare for deployment.

In February the former Vietnam War veteran will proceed to Fort Lewis in Washington for combat training.  Then in March, Art Riley, 58, will be putting on his uniform and reporting to Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan for six months.

The Trumbull, Connecticut resident and member of the 439th Civil Engineer Electrical Unit in the Air Force Reserves was informed during this past summer that he and his unit would have to report to Bagram Air Base to work with active duty soldiers to help rebuild Afghan basic facilities, services, and installations such as new roads and schools.

The base is about forty miles outside of the capital of Kabul--a city that has seen the devastation and ravages of war many times over.  Presently there are about 3, 000 soldiers at the base.  The U.S. goal is to increase the forces to more than 30,000.

After spending the holidays with his family, his wife Susann Gill-Riley, and two children Colleen,17, and Tim,15, Mr. Riley admitted that at first the call to active duty was difficult for his family and that acceptance of the situation has been a process.

"I was kind of excited when I got the call.  There was no honor in going to Vietnam because the war was so unpopular.  But in this war there seems to be more honor and support for the soldiers,"  added Mr. Riley.

State of Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal stated in his letter to Mr. Riley, "I wish to thank and commend you for your courageous and significant service.  I was impressed by how well respected and liked you are by everyone in the Emmett O'Brien community.  You have taught your students a great deal and now are teaching them the importance of serving our country."

Mr. Riley's father was a veteran whose influence prompted his son to begin a military career in 1968.  Art Riley joined the Air Force, went to aircraft school and worked on planes.  "It was one of the best decisions I ever made.  The experience made me mature."

After serving in Vietnam, Mr. Riley began working as an electrical apprentice at a steel mill in Bridgeport, Connecticut.  When the workers went on strike, the mill closed, and Art Riley's educational career moved forward.  Mr. Riley began teaching as an Electrical instructor at Bullard-Havens Technical High School in Bridgeport.  While at Bullard Havens, Mr. Riley was persuaded by an Air Force recruiter to re-enlist.

Presently Mr. Riley is a Master Sergeant in the Air Force Reserves.  He reports to Westover Air Base once a month and works on electrical power production and building construction.

Over the years Art Riley has seen quite a bit of the world with his unit. He has built homes in New Mexico for the American Indians, constructed schools in Honduras and was stationed throughout Europe and Central America.

Mr. Riley with some of his Electrical students

Fellow teachers find Mr. Riley engaging and witty.  " The faculty will miss the twinkle in his eye and the enthusiasm he has for his students and for education." commented Social Studies instructor Terry Orlowski. Guidance Department Head Debbie Anderson added, " Art has a wonderful rapport with both the students and the faculty.  He is enthusiastic and supportive of the mission of the Technical High School Program. Mr. Riley is dedicated to his craft and his military profession.  He is also involved with the recruitment efforts for Emmett O'Brien.  We wish him well, and we look forward to his safe and speedy return."

His colleague Roger Giore said, "Mr. Riley will be hard to replace.  We have been a team for four years. I have always considered us a good team.  The kids are used to him, and they are now beginning to realize that his deployment is almost here.  Art is a kind, warm and caring individual. When his humor surfaces, it makes the day."

Students were informed eight weeks ago about Mr. Riley's deployment.  When the students queried Art Riley as to why he had to be the one to go, he responded, "If I don't go, you guys will go because someone has to go."

Mr. Riley's safety is a concern for his students. Jason Scaife,17, of Shelton repeated, "As long as he is safe."  Melissa Lepore,15, of Seymour added, " Mr. Riley has always looked out for us and has carefully watched over us.  It's scary over there and I worry."   Meghan Kolher,18, of Ansonia pondered, " Mr. Riley is a cautious person with his work.  He should be fine."

EOB students admit that they will miss their teacher and his wit.  Taylor Rowe, 18, of Seymour commented, "He's very funny, and he helps keep things moving smoothly."  Jordan Torres, 17, of Naugatuck added, "Until he comes back things will not be the same."

As the winds of fate whirl, Art Riley seems to be "going with the flow."  He hopes that boredom will be an occassional part of his daily routine.  "Hopefully, I'll be doing a lot of construction and no bullet dodging."